Conservative Group Runs Ad Against Dean

[papau]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3464468,00.html

Conservative Group Runs Ad Against Dean

Thursday December 4, 2003 9:01 PM


By LIZ SIDOTI Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A conservative political group launched an ad in New Hampshire and Iowa Thursday, arguing that Democrat Howard Dean would raise taxes and comparing the front-runner to losing presidential candidates George McGovern and Michael Dukakis.

The Dean campaign immediately responded to the Club for Growth's commercial, saying it would broadcast its own ad Friday countering the criticism. The Dean spot to air in the early voting states accuses President Bush of "hiding behind negative attacks" from Republican groups.

The Club for Growth commercial compares the former Vermont governor to McGovern, Dukakis and Walter Mondale, three unsuccessful Democratic nominees whom the group argues supported "huge tax increases." "Howard Dean says he'll raise taxes on the average family by more than $1,900 a year. Dean says he'll raise income taxes, marriage taxes, capital gains taxes, dividend taxes, even bring back the death tax," an announcer says. "Will Howard Dean ever learn?" <snip>



Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi called the ad "absolutely wrong" and a "bald-faced lie" because it characterizes Dean as a tax-and-spend Democrat. "It's starting to look pretty clear that they've become increasingly concerned by the grass-roots movement we have created," Trippi said ... Dean is seeking fiscal responsibility, and repeal of the tax cuts is necessary because they "threaten this country's economic well-being." <snip>

[neuvocat]

1. Huge tax increases

when the pukes have generated another deficit. Heh.

[Hawkeye-X]

2. Dean'll probably run an ad countering that

as soon as he raises another bat...

Edit: Never mind. Dean responded. (That was DAMN quick)

Special Interests Attack Dean
Just two weeks ago, the RNC launched an ad in Iowa questioning the patriotism of those who opposed this president's reckless foriegn policy. Bush attacked-- and you responded, raising more than $608,000 to tell the truth about what Bush has done to our country.

And today, they're at it again. The Club for Growth-- a corporate-backed group whose goal is "to bundle campaign donations for pro-business Republicans"-- is attacking Howard Dean by name in television ads that are going up in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Last month, you declared your independence from the special interests. Now they're trying to define and distort Howard Dean's record in an attempt to slow your campaign.

Don't let them.

The Dean campaign is responding immediately, combating the false accusations of Bush's special interests by preparing a television ad of our own:

Title: “Club for Truth”
Length: 30 seconds
Video: Image of George Bush over a closed factory; footage from Club for Growth ad; footage of Howard Dean on the campaign trail.

Audio:

George Bush.

His economic policies created the largest deficit in our county's history.

Now he's hiding behind negative ads that falsely attack Howard Dean.

The Truth?

Howard Dean balanced budgets 11 years in a row. He's a fiscal conservative who cut state income taxes—twice. Raised the minimum wage. And provided health care coverage for nearly every child in his state.

I'm Howard Dean. I approved this message because they’re not trying to stop me, they’re trying to stop you.


Don't let the special interests stop you from taking our country back. Click here to contribute and to show that you are willing to match the special interests dollar for dollar. Let Bush know that he can't hide behind the special interests-- and that we, the American people, are going to stand up for the truth.

[arcos]

3. Club for Growth wants to choose the democratic nominee...

and they obviously don't want Dean.

[blm]

6. Wrong. Stephen Moore and Dean are friendly.

This is Moore playing the "inevtability" card for Dean. it helps both Dean and Bush. Galvanizes both bases.

[dsc]

7. what a crock of hooey

That is so far beyond absurd as to have last seen abusrd in the rear view mirror. And of course, not one link at all for this so called friendship. I won't bother asking.

[CalebHayes]

8. Big Deal!!

What is wrong with taxes? Everybody wants their freedoms but when uncle Sam comes around... We need to pay our taxes or we will end up like Rome.

[BenZodiac]

4. please...

I support a repeal of the Bush tax cuts, but please, a repeal of a tax cut is a TAX HIKE. This is common sense. Why is Dean afraid to say this?

My advice to Dr. Dean and Mr. Trippi is to stop trying to parse words. People will understand.
Repealing a tax cut is a tax hike, otherwise Bush can just say his Tax Cut was a repeal of Clinton's Tax Hike. (and Clinton can say he didn't raise taxes, he just repealed Reagan's tax cut, which also wasn't a tax cut, but just a repeal of some earlier Presidents tax hike.)

[BlueEyedSon]

5. "People will understand"

almost half of those "people" voted for Bush.... what makes you think they understand anything?

[Kolesar]

9. Somewhere in that long chain of tax cuts and tax hikes,

Tax policy was largely reformed. In 1986 or 1987 the tax code was simplified, marginal rates were reduced, and most tax shelters were eliminated.